063 - New handles for Aldi chisels

Aldi chisels have good steel (especially for the price), but they have rubbish handles (even for the price).
So I made new handles for mine, out of mango.
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[@philipchandler330]

Fine craftsmanship excellent

[@mrhobbs5713]

Put the cutting end of the chisel between 2 pieces of wood and in the vise then use a block of wood and hit the bottom of the chisel handle driving it away from the steel end. Easy. Good job on the new handles though.

[@UPTHETOWN]

If you need to glue the iron or the ferrule you've buggered up the handle

[@thisisnotmyname91]

Paul Jenkins Do the whole set with different wood for each handle. Might be handy when looking for the right chisel as well as looking really cool.

[@TheWoodKnight]

Jason _ Thats pretty tempting - blackwood would be for the 12mm, redgum for 18mm, but jarrah and redgum can be pretty similar looking. I might have to source a small blank of hairy oak or mulga to round out a nice aussie collection.

[@CMRWoodworks]

That wood is gorgeous! Looks much better than the original. Great work!

[@bttrway9402]

Just curious could you not have cut that stock into 4 pieces on the table or band saw and made four handles or do you need to make it out of the heartwood? If you need the heartwood and can only make one handle would it still not have made sense to cut it down?

[@matthewchapman896]

Yurp.

[@Amirbaas]

Absolutely, we should have a greater respect to all tree,

[@aaronfransz1058]

yeah I had the exact same thought

[@jensstolt1656]

In Europe you make hammer and ax handles out of ash, planes are made out of Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), chisel handles are also made out of hornbeam or beech. Ash is not good for chisel handles, since it is likely to spilt, elm would be a better option.

[@MikeGillett58]

I don't think I could make a handle as tough as the one you took off. You work is amazing...

[@cag9284]

I don't see the point...the handles work just as good.... For the price.

[@markharris5771]

That wood is gorgeous, and the chisel looked amazing. I also like the flat bottom better than curved one, the mallet won’t glance off it. Personally I prefer the larger handles my Narex Premiums give me because I have osteoarthritis in all my fingers. The bigger handles are much easier to hold and work with. A great video, thank you for filming it and posting.

[@thedieiscast9729]

Same problem Mark, The longer handle would suit me better. Quite like the Aldi shape to be honest. With slight variation this shape is used by a number of European makers.

[@paulorchard7960]

Waste of time, the handle you destroyed is likely more usable then your replacement, also your turning techniques will eventually lead to tears! I’m amazed you still have all your fingers!

[@randomorbit3376]

Hi Paul, as im new to turning, why is his technique bad?.... I like my fingers ;(

[@vajkfekete2635]

What is the problem with the original handle? If it does not fit your hand, you can sand it to shape.

[@autumn5592]

You can take material away, you can't put material back. If there isn't any where he wants, you can't magically make wood appear there.

[@naitodetsu]

you could have just reshaped the original handle

[@Mentheus]

Nice Woodwork and good looking Wood but the only thing i don't like is the statement that the Metal Band at the end does nothing. Specially if you wack the tool with a mallet you need that band or you shorten the lifespan of your handle by a huge. I made some handles for myself and was thinking the same but not long after using my chisel and hitting it the handle just split in two and all my work was for nothing :( just my 2cent

[@TheWoodKnight]

Mentheus Graves Thanks. In the case of these particular ferrules, if you're going to split the wood, I doubt the ferrule would stop it because the metal is *so* soft. Paul Sellers also seems to agree on that one, as he uses them in his classroom and removes the ferrule/shortens the handle ;) There are plenty of low to high end chisel brands that don't use the top ferrule at all so it might have been the particular wood you used?

[@carpenteire]

Nice job, but obviously quality hardwood is too cheap where you are, you wasted away a lot of wood to make a small tool handle.

[@sofianebenhadj60]

very very very good

[@DanT10]

Is Aussie oil made out of real Aussies?

[@alexgrant4178]

Paul. I notice you are from Australia. Me too. Nice video. Well done. I haven't seen these Aldi chisels yet but have heard allot about them. Can't wait til they go on sale.

[@samrodian919]

But you miss the point entirely mate, you hit that new handle with anything but a full on square blow, the corner edge is just going to come flying off if you look at the grain structure. Yes the Aldi ferrules are crap , but at least they are made of the right wood, Ash, which will take belting all day long. So the remedy? Replace the ferrules !!!!!

[@TheWoodKnight]

Given they're now 1.5yr old with zero damage, I think its safe to say your guess was wrong. The Aldi handles have very poor ergonomics, and they caused much much more slipping (and chance of mishitting) than the handles I made.

[@samrodian919]

I then stand corrected Paul. My only excuse is that I have no experience of Aussie timbers. but here in Europe we only ever use Ash as standard or Hickory if it was available , for chisel AND hammer handles. I assume then that the timber you made the handle from has a tight interlocking grain to stop it from splitting easily

[@TheWoodKnight]

+SAMRODIAN hah, most of the world rarely sees Australian woods ;) Jarrah and Redgum are very interlocked, to try point that they're very unpleasant to use at times. Redgum is about as hard as ebony, Jarrah about the same as purple heart. Mango, being a fruit tree, is a good candidate for tool handles like cherry and apple can be. Blackwood isn't as good as it's neither that interlocked nor is it relatively tough. This piece has a bit of figure, so perhaps that's what's translating it to being useful.

[@johngeddes7894]

Belting all day long? If you need anything other than a lightweight leather or rubber mallet even IF you need to strike a chisel, maybe you need to rethink your game plan. Sharp wood chisels never need to be struck with much force, even for morticing into tough hardwoods. Hava a look at Paul Sellers’ videos and you can see exactly what I’m describing.

[@MintStiles]

LOL that piece of wood could have made 4 handles.

[@gaillong4748]

Paul, I'm asking because I don't do turning and have very little experience with it, but it seems like a lot of waste to take that large piece of wood down that much when it looked like you ended up with using maybe 1/4th of the whole. I understand that pattern and grain direction matter too. It just looked like a lot of turning that maybe could have been avoided? The finished handle looks great. I liked the copper tubing for the ferrell. That was a great touch.

[@TheWoodKnight]

Gail Long Thanks. Turning can be very wasteful (just look at a bowl), but it can also be very resourceful - small offcuts I'd normally throw away from woodworking get used very frequently. In this particular case, I didn't really know what size or shape I was going for. If I had of, I probably could have cut it down on the bandsaw to a more appropriate size that would have netted some offcuts - hopefully enough for another handle or a different project, or at the very least sped up the turning time.

[@crt1983uk]

+Paul “TheWoodKnight” Jenkins I was thinking the same thing. As someone who doesn't turn wood it looks wasteful to use a piece that size.

[@disconeil]

I have the same set of chisels and looking at how far the steel goes into the handle you wouldn't want to lever any chips out, or apply any sideways pressure! You have done a cracking job Paul, I have a small lathe and may give these a go, I have large shovels for hands so I may have to tweak your design slightly (anything will be an improvement I reckon) Thanks for sharing mate. N.

[@TheWoodKnight]

Neil George Thanks. Yeah, they're certainly not mortising chisels, but since I'm a "hybrid" woodworker, so I'm not really using them for that sort of task.

[@disconeil]

Yeah, I understand that, thanks for your reply. N.

[@autumn5592]

I know this is 7 years old, but still. This is a pretty standard size for cast and forged chisels, even ones that are 50+ years old. They will easily handle some prying tasks and hammering. Even morticing chisels have stubby tangs (albeit, slightly longer than this.)

[@christschool]

Million dollar modification on a $5 chisel. Still, I liked the creativity displayed. I would recommend buying the Lie Nielsen chisels modeled after the Stanley 750's. These are high quality chisels that you can easily modify the handles.

[@TheWoodKnight]

+christschool at $109aud a chisel, the LN chisels are far overkill for how much hand tool work I do at the moment.

[@1873Winchester]

Seems they're mostly to brag about how much money you got. All my chisels and from flea markets.

[@MrWams123]

I wanted a set but could not find any....

[@TheWoodKnight]

+Austins Airsoft Aldi's "special buys" (non- food items) are generally available 1-2 times a year, for one week or until sold out (the chisels usually sell out pretty quickly)

[@noodlesoup2281]

Nice 👍 Can’t imagine the chisels being too great though tbh

[@autumn5592]

If Paul Sellers uses them as his main chisels, they're more than plenty for any normal person.

[@Pete.G]

That is about the biggest roughing gouge I've ever seen. Holy cow!

[@TheWoodKnight]

Pete G A recent purchase for a pretty good price (~$45AUD) - It is *so* much fun to use!

[@DustyKorpse]

Seems a waste of wood, yeah replace them if they split or get damaged, but not just for the sake of it.

[@TheWoodKnight]

Or for ergonomics, like I mentioned.

[@DustyKorpse]

didn't watch that far.

[@gmor46]

Nicely done!

[@aeratj5741]

what was really wrong witht original >>

[@jimbo2629]

I’ve used copper ferrules in the past but I prefer brass. The original Aldi ferrule looks cosmetic rather than functional. Interesting wood grain.

[@DamoclesMedia]

I miss the intro music.

[@mrfitba]

Great handles. I plan to get some Aldi chisels for my workshop. I will need some handles. I will contact you! Love them.

[@jamesmeyer9912]

Harbor Freight has a six pack of the same chisels for $9.99 in the US.

[@JackRiverD]

Wow. So much criticism and self-righteousness. If they’re good enough for Mr Sellers, they’re good enough for me (though I’d still prefer something 100 years old, as would he)). If someone wants gorgeous new handles, then great. What did you end up doing about the other 3?

[@TheWoodKnight]

😂 even sellers has videos on modifying the handles

[@autumn5592]

Well said.

[@coburnlowman]

When you first started turning I thought your over sized roughing gouge was a spade like the wife uses when planting flower bulbs. I though t you were hard core in DIY.

[@jackviner3387]

Great job

[@pmckinlay653]

I...I think I need some of that Mango.

[@RAGproduction]

A true dilemma, I don't know how you'll cope X-D Nice new handle though!

[@andrèharrison7164]

sweet modification bro

[@troykloszynski8050]

Thanks for the reply mate

[@davidduxbury4919]

Waste of perfectly good wood

[@jessechung1109]

What is the tool you used to cut the pipe? I had never seen one before!

[@TheWoodKnight]

Its going to sound condescending on my behalf but I don't mean it that way - its a pipe cutter. Thats the actual name for that tool. Less than $10, cuts copper pipe in particularly super well. The specific product I used was the "Craftright 32mm Tube And Pipe Cutter"

[@jessechung1109]

Paul Jenkins Wow it was right under my nose this whole time :( I always kind of struggled cutting pipes with a hack saw straight and sand the end part clean. Thanks for the info! subbed as well!

[@garymccraw1466]

I bet that is the Fastest you ever worked in your Life

[@robertbrunston5406]

Thanks

[@stevensdbuild9524]

All that work to make a handle that is near identical.....only shorter! Cut the thing down, scratch with sand paper, oil as desired. Man, I don't know any professional cabinet makers, joiners or carpenters that would waste time doing this.

[@TheWoodKnight]

Steven SDbuild hahahahaha you didn't actually watch the video where I talk about ergonomics right? the shape of the original handle - not just the length - is an issue. And what makes you think I'm a professional? If I was, do you think I'd be buying a $14/4 set of chisels? If you don't understand things, there is no need to make multiple comments showing your confusion

[@stevensdbuild9524]

Didn't realise my comment was so funny. I understand fine thank you. Paul Sellers likes them so I'll go with his opinion. Most woodworkers (professional and amateur) have a separate set of good but cheap chisels. Standard practice.

[@stevensdbuild9524]

P.S. I can't fault your workmanship. You've made a lovely job. I also like the copper ferrule. I just can't get my head round why you would go to all that effort to change a perfectly good handle.

[@TheWoodKnight]

+Steven SDbuild because it wasn't a good handle. They were physically painful to hold because of the crappy design

[@stevensdbuild9524]

I stand corrected good sir.

[@jensstolt1656]

The Aldi handles are actually better than yours, but since they look "Aldish", I can understand why you want to exchange them for something more artistic. You use an awful lot of wood to make one handle. You could also have polished the steel.

[@stevensdbuild9524]

Dumb waste of time smashing out a perfectly good handle just to change it. Some folk do things just for the sake of doing it.

[@jonathangreenwood793]

I like what you are trying to do but just can't see the point. Your turning is great but these are a cheap set of chisels. I've got a similar set. Hell, I split nails out with these (and do) frequently for the price they are. They have ash handles, take a huge clout without breaking and are quick to sharpen. No offence but don't polish a turd. Life is too short. These are made to a price point but steel is steel and if it's forged wrong it will shatter and take your eye out. If you had a beaten up set of Marples then your approach would be spot on. The product you have though are frankly chuck away. Great for the money but not worth spending time on. Buy old beaten up steel (it will serve several lifetimes) then give it love. Anything from Sheffield is worth re-handling (especially pre 1960's). You won't regret it.

[@atalayilhan7018]

Too less craftsmanship.

[@TheWoodKnight]

atalay ilhan too many grammar